Warner Bros TV Signs Dutch Format Deal

Warner Bros has signed an exclusive deal with John de Mol’s Talpa Media to produce British versions of the Dutch company’s TV shows. The deal is the latest piece in the jigsaw of Warner’s plan to establish worldwide production subsidiaries developing local versions of hit shows. Talpa’s best-known formats are Dating in the Dark, which has been sold to 20 territories already, and Divided, picked up by 13 territories. Both Dating in the Dark and Divided have already been sold to the UK. The Dutch company has set up co-production deals with other partners in the US, Australia, New Zealand, Denmark, Norway, Finland and Sweden. Ronald Goes, the head of Warner Bros’ international TV production arm, used to be CEO of Talpa prior to joining the studio in summer 2010.

The studio’s TV business is buying Brit TV production company Shed Media, maker of such programmes as Supernanny and The Choir, for around £100 million ($159 million) to boost its presence in this key market. That deal is expected to complete in October.